Rattanakosin

From dawn to dusk…

            Rattanakosin Island

……...Demarcated by the Khlong Lod (Old City Canal) and Chao Praya River Rattanakosin was the city’s earliest settlement. At that time it was home to the region’s Chinese immigrants and referred to as Tambon Bangkok or ‘Bangkok District’.

            Envisioning the future would necessitate a large degree of expansion, King RamaⅠsought an idea location for his new capital. He chose Rattanakosin, then relocated the Chinese community to the area stretching from Wat Sam Pluem to Wat Sam Peng (today’s Wat Chakkrawat to Wat Pathum Khongkha).

            The new city wall, palaces and forts in Rattanakosin were all modeled after grand structures found in Ayutthaya Comprised of 14 forts and 63 gates, dispersed about the city, the City Wall was impressive in it’s own right. It totaled 7.2 kilometers in length and fortified 2,589 rai (Thai acres) of territory.

            Simultaneous to the projects above, an unprecedented period of construction followed New canals were dug and considerable tracts of land were cleared making room for the residential areas and communities that cropped up.

            This faux island blossomed rapidly from a small part settlement to a glorious city of opulence and grandeur Modern Rattanakosin still retains much of its old charm while standing as Thailand’s in valuable center of arts and culture….

* BKK fact: To put in perspective, today’s Bangkok is divided into 50 districts.